Frequency and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of the Acinetobacter calcoaceticus baumannii Complex Strains Isolated from Septicemia Patients in Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Southern Iran

Background and Objectives: The choice of antimicrobial treatment for septicemia is often empirical and based on the knowledge of local anti-microbial activity patterns of the most common bacteria causing such bloodstream infections. Acinetobacter has gained importance as a multi-drug resistant and hence a difficulty in treatment of the pathogen. This opportunistic pathogen can be easily isolated from water, soil, and hospital facilities. The aim of this study was to determine frequency and resistance patterns of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus baumannii (Acb) complex isolated in Shiraz hospitals. Materials and Methods: During 1 year period (March 2018 - March 2019), 44 specimens were collected from different wards of Shiraz hospitals. The isolates were characterized as Acb complex by conventional API, biochemical tests. Then, the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the isolates were determined to 24 antibiotics by standard disk diffusion method, according to CLSI. Results: Antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the strains showed a high percentage of resistance. Approximately all the isolates were sensitive to colistin and polymixin B and 50%, 18.6%, 15.9%, 11.4% of the isolates were sensitive to Tigecycline, tetracycline, Levofloxacin and gentamycin, respectively. Conclusion: This study showed a high resistance of A. baumannii to a wide range of antimicrobial agents. It is necessary to adopt appropriate strategies to control the spread of the bacteria in hospitals wards.